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enMourinho coy on fresh Stones bidJohn Stones continues to be linked with Chelsea, but Jose Mourinho is coy on a fresh bid for the Everton defender.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mourinho-coy-fresh-stones-bid
Jose Mourinho refused to be drawn on whether Chelsea will return with a fresh bid for Everton centre-back John Stones.
The Premier League champions had an initial offer - reported to be worth £20million - rejected earlier this month.
Mourinho's public confirmation of the bid irked Everton manager Roberto Martinez, with speculation rife that Chelsea will attempt another move.
However, Mourinho is bullish about Chelsea's pursuit of the England defender.
"I don't speak about transfers now," the Chelsea boss said ahead of Sunday's Community Shield against Arsenal at Wembley.
"Especially now that the competition starts. It starts for us and Arsenal now and starts for everyone else next week."
Mourinho also re-iterated that Chelsea are in the hunt for a left-back to replace Filipe Luis, who returned to Atletico Madrid earlier this week, but is coy on whether Bayer Leverkusen's Abdul Baba Rahman is a target.
Ahead of the match with Arsene Wenger's men, Mourinho stated that everyone is fit for selection, including Diego Costa (hamstring) and Gary Cahill (nose).
Costa had well-documented problems with his hamstring last season, but Mourinho is not concerned by his fitness.
"No [I am not worried about Costa]. We have three top strikers. If one is injured we have two, there are no concerns," he added.
"It's a position where we are very strong. Fantastic group of strikers, no problem."news_articleFri, 31 Jul 2015 13:56:58 +0000Anonymous426389 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCahill: Stones should seize Chelsea chanceJohn Stones should seize the chance to join Chelsea if the Premier League champions can agree a deal with Everton, says Gary Cahill.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/cahill-stones-should-seize-chelsea-chance
Gary Cahill has waded into the war of words between Chelsea and Everton over John Stones by urging the young defender to move to Stamford Bridge.
Stones was the subject of a bid from Chelsea last week - reported to be worth £20million - that was rejected by Everton and criticised by manager Roberto Martinez.
Reports have suggested Chelsea will test Everton's resolve with an improved offer ahead of the new season, with Jose Mourinho risking the ire of Martinez by referring to Everton as a "smaller club".
Cahill, who left Bolton Wanderers to join Chelsea in 2012, believes the lure of the Premier League champions is impossible to resist, and has urged Stones to take the chance should the two clubs agree a deal.
"Are Chelsea a hard club to turn down? Yes, of course," Cahill is quoted as saying by The Guardian.
"In terms of ambition, if you're a young player in the game, have played in the Premier League like he did a lot last year, and a big club come calling, it's very difficult to turn down because you want to achieve the most you can in the short period you have in your career as a professional footballer.
"When a top club comes calling, who you know will be firing on all fronts with competitions and medals, that’s ultimately what you want to be playing for. It's hard to turn down of course.
"He will look at the club, look at the players, and look at being involved in a squad like ours. When Chelsea came calling for me, it was an opportunity, it was a chance and looking from the outset you may not be sure how it's going to go.
"But it's one you can't turn down; you have to grab it with both hands. Then you have to work as hard as you can to make it work."news_articleWed, 22 Jul 2015 12:55:01 +0000Anonymous421937 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMourinho mocks Martinez commentsRoberto Martinez's comments regarding Chelsea's pursuit of John Stones have been mocked by Jose Mourinho.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mourinho-mocks-martinez-comments
Jose Mourinho has mocked the comments of Roberto Martinez after the Everton manager took exception to Chelsea's public pursuit of John Stones.
Premier League champions Chelsea have seen an initial bid for England international Stones, reported to be worth £20m, rejected - but are expected to test Everton's desire to hang on to the player with a second offer.
Martinez voiced his displeasure at Chelsea's interest in Stones being made public and insisted his club have no intention of selling.
Yet Chelsea boss Mourinho, who had previously said "it's an open market until September 1st" is baffled by his rival's anger.
"Next year we are going to make the first bid on the 1st of September [when the transfer window is closed]," Mourinho said sarcastically.
"On the 1st of September we will do a bid for the season later. Because at this moment, until the 31st of August, it is closed. The market is closed.
"We are all in a strange world. We think it is open but it is not open. It is closed. So on the 1st of September we are going to make a bid for the next season."
Mourinho went on to risk further irking Martinez, referring to Everton as a "smaller club".
"It's a good market," he continued. "That's why smaller clubs, if they have interesting young English players, they use that in the right way for them.
"I don't criticise them. They play the market for themselves. If the big clubs don't want to go over certain limits, they have to make a decision."
Much has been made of the inflated price of young English players, yet Mourinho added: "That is the market now. You only pay it if you want to.
"If you don't want to pay it, don't pay. It's as simple as that. The market has no rules or limits from season to season."news_articleWed, 22 Jul 2015 09:58:35 +0000Anonymous421873 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMourinho confirms Chelsea bid for StonesJose Mourinho has confirmed Chelsea have made a bid for John Stones and will continue their pursuit of the Everton defender.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mourinho-confirms-chelsea-bid-stones
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed the club have made Everton an offer for John Stones and will continue to chase the defender unless told he is not for sale.
Reports suggested that the Premier League champions made a bid - thought to be in the region of £20million - for Stones on Thursday that was rejected.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez issued a hands-off warning to Chelsea following his side's 3-1 defeat to Arsenal in the Asia Trophy final on Saturday, but Mourinho appears to have taken little notice of the Spaniard's words.
"We made a bid, we can make it - it's an open market until September 1," he said.
"At the moment they say we don't accept this bid – they don't say: 'We don’t accept bids; any bids'.
"While they say we don't accept this bid, until September 1 we can improve the bid, one pound more, 10 pounds more, we can improve the bid.
"If one day Roberto Martinez or the chairman come and say he's not for sale, we don't accept any bid, it's game over.
"So during this process, it's clear, we don't deny we made a bid for Stones. It means we are trying to buy."news_articleSat, 18 Jul 2015 20:10:15 +0000Anonymous420186 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMartinez: Chelsea pursuit will hit Stones wallJohn Stones is attracting interest from Chelsea, provoking a strong reaction from Everton manager Roberto Martinez.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/martinez-chelsea-pursuit-will-hit-stones-wall
Roberto Martinez has issued a hands-off warning to Chelsea as the Premier League champions pursue Everton defender John Stones.
It is reported that Chelsea made a bid for the 21-year-old England centre-half on Thursday that Everton swiftly rejected.
And Martinez wants the matter to end there, declaring: "He is an Everton player. Full stop."
Speaking after Saturday's 3-1 Asia Trophy final loss to Arsenal, the Spanish manager said: "First of all, we pride ourselves in playing a certain way and educating our young players in a manner that means they are always going to get attention from elsewhere.
"That is a compliment, a footballing compliment.
"The other side is the disappointment in seeing a football club making it [the bid for Stones] so open. I don't think that is the way we do it at Everton.
"We don't speak about a player when he is registered at another club and there is no issue from our point of view – John Stones is an Everton player full stop.
"We are not a selling club in that respect."
Stones, who moved to Goodison Park from Barnsley in January 2013, has won four England caps.
news_articleSat, 18 Jul 2015 17:15:52 +0000Anonymous420130 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comJohn Stones: “I want to set a mark and be a mixture of Rio Ferdinand and John Terry”He went from U20 debutant to senior cap within a year, but hes very happy to help the U21s chase glory at the Euros. John Stones tells FFTabout call-ups, caps and a crazy year...Jonathan Fadugbahttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/john-stones-i-want-set-mark-and-be-mixture-rio-ferdinand-and-john-terry
Are you looking forward to going away with England U21s?
It’ll be great. We’ve got such good young talent in our age group that we should be confident going into each game: there’s good character.
Every time you go away it’s different. It’s good to get away from your club and see a different side of training – the standard there is unbelievable.
To see what other players are doing and try and learn from other players, even at my age, is great. So I think it’ll be a great tournament to be a part of.
Is it strange to go into an atmosphere which is obviously competitive, but you’re all the same age group – do you all know each other from beforehand?
Definitely. I think we’ve all known each other even from the younger age groups. I get along with everyone there – everyone does, I think that’s why we’re so good together because we’re all good friends. We have a good laugh while we’re there and I think that shows on the pitch as well, the togetherness. The more lads that are familiar with each other and know how each other play, the better results you’re going to get.
You played at the U20 World Cup in 2013. What do you learn at a tournament like that?
Oh, it was brilliant. I mean I was gutted to go out so early, and we were disappointed with ourselves – we should have done a lot better. The experience was great playing in tournament football, but I think the ultimate thing was we weren’t clinical enough.
We showed too much respect to the other teams and probably not enough respect to ourselves, because we had such a great team. We had good players [also in the squad were future senior players Harry Kane, Ross Barkley and Jon Flanagan], and to go out so early was bad. We should have been getting to the quarters, semis or even the final with the team we had. It was disappointing.
How did you find the experience of going away? Was it tough to adapt?
No, I think you go away from home that much anyway, and you’re with your friends that much, you just get used to it. I was ready to stay a bit longer! It was a great experience. All the staff and all the lads make it so welcoming. The setup at England is great.
That trip especially was good; we went out a week beforehand, trained out there and got used to the heat, got used to the surfaces. The coach at the time was Peter Taylor. He did a great job in preparing us for that tournament and I don’t think we repaid him for what he did. But I’m a big fan of tournament football and trying to win medals and things like that, so I really enjoyed the experience.
At the younger age levels, do you watch analysis videos of the opponents?
Yep. Straight through from even younger than the Under-20s. I think every first team in every league is trying to bring video analysis in. So we did that, yeah. We had little notes, and even if you want more notes about a certain player you can go and get that. The analysis team is great.
At that U20 World Cup, England played Iraq, and perhaps players were wondering...
“Who are they?” Yeah, but they do their research on every team and give us the best chance of winning. And you never know, football’s a funny game. You can score a goal from nothing and you can’t do anything about it – you can do all the research you want but you can’t stop a wonder-goal. But as I say, we played some of the not-so-favourite teams and they beat us.
Do you think England can win the U21 Euros? What’s the aim there?
I think we’ve got to aim high with the squad we’ve got but without being too arrogant. We need to know in ourselves and have good belief. I always say that we should go into each game one step at a time and take each game as it comes.
In tournament football you’ve got to set a goal but not look too far ahead otherwise you get ahead of yourself. But with the players we’ve got I think we’ve got a great chance.
You’ve already made your competitive debut for England's senior team. What was that like?
Yeah, it was crazy. I mean when I got the call off Roy Hodgson... I was 19 and I think I made my debut two days after my birthday. So it was... crazy. A crazy year. To go away to Portugal and Miami with the senior squad with all the players you’ve watched for years – it was so strange to be passing a ball to them. It was a great experience.
I was gutted to not even go and watch them at the World Cup after seeing how hard they worked, but I think it set me up great for when I got called up next time. I knew the lads, I felt more welcome and the gaffer trusted me and put me in. And it just went from there. I really felt at home. Sadly I got injured before the next call-up, which I was meant to be in with the squad again. So I’m just trying to keep playing well for Everton and hopefully he’ll call me up again.
What was it like hearing the anthem?
It was more for my family. My first start was at Wembley. So that was great. Seeing my family after that; they were in bits, I think. It was more strange for them. But the competitive game in Switzerland was a must-win game for us. To be a part of that after the World Cup and getting the win over there was a great feeling. For the manager to trust me to play in a big game like that was, you know, I can’t thank him enough.
Do you want to be as important for England as players like Rio Ferdinand and John Terry? Do you see yourself as an England centre-back for the long-term?
Oh definitely. I’d love to, yeah. I think, without being arrogant or anything about it, I’d love to set the mark and try and be as good as them and hopefully do well for England. I’ve got to do that at Everton first to get picked. If I achieve anything like they have it’d be beyond anything I could ever imagine. I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but yeah that’d be great.
In terms of style do you think you’re more like Terry or Ferdinand?
I’m trying to get that mixture. I think from last season to this season there’s been a big difference and definitely that mixture between smooth passing and tough defending is going to be a good recipe for my game. I’m still learning little things but I’ve definitely brought the more ‘dirty’ side into my game now which every defender needs.
Follow the U21 Euros with FourFourTwo
featureTue, 16 Jun 2015 17:01:40 +0000Gary Parkinson404623 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comWhy the new generation of England players are better than you thinkDeclan Warrington says the Three Lions still lag some way behind world footballs powerhouses, but believes the bigger picture is unfolding nicely...Declan Warringtonhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/why-new-generation-england-players-are-better-you-think
Though the mainstream narrative has long been English football's Golden Generation ending with the departures of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, it’s arguable that a brighter one has started around them.
Their final contributions to England's cause at the 2014 World Cup may have come amid the disappointment of elimination at the group stage but, subtly, a different breed of English player has gradually emerged.
If there was reason for an Englishman to remain optimistic in Brazil then it came in the display of Raheem Sterling against Italy alongside the established, fluid talents of Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson ­– and in the knowledge that, in Jack Wilshere, Ross Barkley and Luke Shaw, a more skilled young collection of players was vying for selection.
Classy comfort
There was little doubting the individual talents of Gerrard or Lampard, or any of the others who disappointed in a 4-4-2 formation under Sven-Goran Eriksson, Steve McClaren and Fabio Capello.
What became increasingly clear throughout those England managers’ reigns, however, was that for all of those players’ abilities – David Beckham, John Terry and Michael Owen were, alongside Gerrard and Lampard, particularly important – they almost all had domestic skill sets which brought significant Premier League success but, internationally, proved one-dimensional.
Michel Platini’s view that English players are “lions in the winter and lambs in the summer” may refer to the unrealistic domestic football schedule and have significant foundation.
But the same could equally be said of the platforms being played upon: lions for the rugged winter of the Premier League, lambs in a sophisticated, continental summer.
A preference for 4-4-2 didn’t only reflect those managers’ limitations. The players – rigid and suited to one-paced, box-to-box football – would have struggled with the fluid, flexible and composed possession-based game the finest teams of that era exercised. Of the Euro 2004 XI, only Ashley Cole, Paul Scholes and Rooney were as comfortable with the subtleties of international football as they were domestically, and only Rooney could excel in more than one role (Gerrard could also, but without the required tactical discipline).
By 2006, Joe Cole was another capable of playing in multiple positions and Rio Ferdinand was composed in possession, but they were the exception rather than the rule and only now – for the first time in England’s history – does the national team have a generation that is as suited to ball retention as it is adaptable.
The right track
Should, as is widely hoped, Calum Chambers and John Stones become regulars in England’s presently-vulnerable defence, there will be two capable of playing both as a right-back and central defender, able to cover the other during forward forays, loss of position or while challenging an opponent. Gary Cahill, a ball-playing defensive partner, will be alongside them, with either Kieran Gibbs, Shaw, Leighton Baines or Ryan Bertrand at left-back, all of whom are comfortable on the ball.
Michael Carrick –alongside Rooney one of two Old England survivors –has the necessary tactical intelligence, discipline and creativity to successfully anchor Hodgson’s midfield, where either side of him Wilshere and Henderson can create, defend, pass almost as well as Carrick and, like Sterling, vary and control their team-mates’ collective tempo.
Up front, it's expected Rooney, Sterling and Sturridge would be Hodgson’s chosen triumvirate; each man, with his movement, intelligence and speed, can play through the middle, and Rooney is as comfortable on the left of a three as Sturridge is on the right. Supporting them, Danny Welbeck can play anywhere across that fluid front-line, Theo Walcott is almost as interchangeable, and Jay Rodriguez – should he fully recover his form following injury – is another flexible option. In time, James Ward-Prowse, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Jordon Ibe will, like Barkley, Adam Lallana and Harry Kane, continue to develop into realistic options for Hodgson or any managerial successor. In reality, Ward-Prowse should already be close.
For a nation whose football team has had more false dawns than it cares to remember, that strength in depth, and elite-level quality, remains far behind the superpowers. Spain must choose between Isco, Thiago Alcantara, Koke, Cesc Fabregas and Ander Herrera for one position alongside Andres Iniesta. Germany's No.10 could be Mesut Ozil, Mario Gotze, Thomas Muller or Marco Reus. Regardless, it remains encouraging.
That so many of those players have a promising understanding at club level – Henderson, Sterling and Sturridge at Liverpool; Chambers, Gibbs and Wilshere at Arsenal – is also welcome, particularly given how little time national managers have to develop chemistry within their teams.
Spain’s all-conquering 2008-2012 side was built upon the cores of Real Madrid and Barcelona, Germany’s World Cup winners on those of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
In the blood
FA technical director Dan Ashworth’s 'England DNA' vision is, in theory, admirable, and encourages identity and evolution, but both traits – if only recently–may already have emerged in players as England’s traditional box-to-box type recedes. England continue to trail international football’s finest but, after decades of playing a rigid formation and producing players with largely the right attitudes but wrong abilities ­– lacking direction, and understanding – they are finally beginning to resemble the world and European champions, showing superior technical ability and sophistication, and not the muscular also-rans of the Premier League.
For all of Terry Venables’ seemingly never-ending hyperbole about the abilities of England’s Euro 96 team, this is as close to total football – to being cultured, efficient, and adaptable – as England have ever been.
More features like this every day at FFT.com
featureFri, 05 Jun 2015 16:43:54 +0000Joe Brewin399294 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBaines predicts huge future for StonesLeighton Baines showered Everton team-mate John Stones in praise following the youngster's star performance against Manchester United.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/baines-predicts-huge-future-stones
Everton centre-back John Stones will become a "top player" for both club and country in the coming years, according to team-mate and left-back Leighton Baines.
Jones, 20, produced a performance beyond his years on Sunday, scoring a goal and thwarting Manchester United's attackers as Everton triumphed 3-0 at Goodison Park.
The four-cap England international, taking part in just his second full season at Everton since being prised away from Barnsley by former manager David Moyes in 2013, earned rave reviews from Baines.
"He has got a huge future ahead of him at international level because not only is he [a] top class defender, but his composure as well... you need a bit of that at international level," Baines said.
"You need to be able to play and when you look at the young centre-halves around the country, John is the best in that respect.
"When you look at John, we signed him from Barnsley not long ago. David Moyes brought him in and his composure for a lad of his age is unbelievable.
"We talk about his frame of mind, not just on the pitch, but off it; he is such a level-headed lad and he has got no airs and graces.
"He is just such a down-to-earth kid that he just wants to play football and work hard. He doesn't get involved in anything else, and when you are around people like that you just want to see them be successful.
"That is the road that John is on at the moment and he is going to continue to grow and develop as a player, and he is going to be a top player for Everton and England."news_articleTue, 28 Apr 2015 04:15:36 +0000Anonymous381468 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comUnited performance Stones best - MartinezJohn Stones put in his finest display in an Everton shirt in Sunday's 3-0 victory over Manchester United, according to Roberto Martinez.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/united-performance-stones-best-martinez
Roberto Martinez hailed John Stones' goal-scoring performance in Everton's comprehensive 3-0 win over Manchester United as his best for the club.
Stones marked his 50th appearance for Everton with the second goal in Sunday's superb victory at Goodison Park, the 20-year-old rising highest to expertly glance Leighton Baines' 35th-minute corner beyond David de Gea.
But it was the young centre-back's defensive qualities that caught his manager's eye.
"John deserves his moment for scoring his first goal for Everton, which is an incredible memory for us all," said Martinez.
"But if I'm honest with you, I think his defensive display was the best since he's been in the first team.
"Phil Jagielka is the perfect man to learn from, but at the age of 20 to have that composure and style on the ball - I thought the way he defended Wayne Rooney and Radamel Falcao and Marouane Fellaini in the first half showed he has an incredible maturity."news_articleMon, 27 Apr 2015 07:08:27 +0000Anonymous381082 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comEverton 3 Manchester United 0: Martinez outwits Van Gaal in comprehensive winGoals from James McCarthy, John Stones and Kevin Mirallas gave Everton a 3-0 win over Manchester United at Goodison Park on Sunday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/everton-3-manchester-united-0-martinez-outwits-van-gaal-comprehensive-win
Roberto Martinez outwitted Louis van Gaal as Everton earned a richly deserved 3-0 victory over Manchester United at Goodison Park.
Martinez has come in for criticism from certain quarters of the Goodison faithful during a testing second season on Merseyside, but the Spaniard got his tactics spot on to earn a morale-boosting win on Sunday courtesy of goals from James McCarthy, John Stones and Kevin Mirallas.
Heeding the blueprint of Chelsea's victory over United last week, Everton sat deep throughout, allowing the visitors to dominate possession before breaking quickly with Aaron Lennon, Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku.
Predictably, Everton's fifth-minute opener came via a swift counter, with McCarthy applying a superb finishing touch to a move that he started.
And the hosts' second goal also arrived after a spell of United pressure, with Stones' brilliant near-post header from Leighton Baines' corner giving Martinez a two-goal cushion 35 minutes in.
Van Gaal introduced Radamel Falcao for Marouane Fellaini – who missed United's best chance of the game in a miserable return to Goodison – at the break in an attempt to sharpen his side's cutting edge.
But it made no difference, as an Everton substitute, Mirallas, rounded the scoring off 16 minutes from time to condemn United to a second straight loss after last week's defeat at Stamford Bridge.
United began on the front foot but were caught out by an incisive Everton breakaway early on.
McCarthy began the move by spreading wide to Seamus Coleman, whose cross was only partially cleared by the recalled Daley Blind.
McCarthy then collected the loose ball, skipped beyond weak challenges from Blind and Paddy McNair and calmly slotted low beyond David de Gea.
Fellaini should have marked his first appearance at Goodison as an opposing player with an immediate equaliser, but the Belgian tamely side-footed over the bar with only Tim Howard to beat after nicking possession off Gareth Barry.
Van Gaal's side continued to probe but, for all their territorial dominance, found themselves two down 10 minutes before the break when Stones glanced home his first Everton goal from Baines' inch-perfect delivery.
The pattern of the first half remained in place despite Van Gaal's introduction of Falcao and Angel di Maria, with United continuing to toil in the final third.
And Everton once again punished United on the counter when Mirallas raced onto a Barkley pass that was intended for the offside Lukaku before slotting past De Gea at his near post.
Mirallas was clearly in the mood, and forced De Gea into a fine save to keep the score at three with five minutes remaining.
In a rare positive for Van Gaal, Robin van Persie then came on following a two-month injury lay-off, but the day belonged to Martinez and United's place in the top four - which appeared rubber-stamped after their derby win over Manchester City - remains insecure.news_articleSun, 26 Apr 2015 14:23:21 +0000Anonymous380758 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comFFTs Young Player of the Year award: who should really be able to win itWhat if the PFAs ruling on youngsters was tweaked?Jonathan Fadugbareels off the only kids who should have stood a chance winning the prize this season...Jon Fadugbahttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ffts-young-player-year-award-who-should-really-be-able-win-it
If we're being honest, Eden Hazard being up for the Young Player of the Year award again this season just isn't quite right. The brilliant Belgian turned 24 in January and is now in his seventh season of regular top-flight football. But them's the rules: all you have to be is 23 or under at the start of the season.
FFT reckons it'd be a little fairer to tweak things slightly.According toRule 2.2 of the Premier League’s Youth Development handbook, under-21 players – generally a widely accepted age for a 'youngster'–“must be under the age of21as at 1 January in the year in which the season concerned commences". For season 2014/15 that's a birthday of January 1, 1993 or later.
So here are our nominees...
Romelu Lukaku (May 13, 1993)
Lukaku has packed a lot into his short career so far, to the extent that he’s almost become passé – an outmoded character in a game rampantly churning through players in search of The Next Big Thing. “I think people forget I’m still 21,” the Everton striker commented earlier this season, and he’s right. Lukaku is only two months older than Harry Kane, for example, but while Kane experiences his virgin top-flight full season, Lukaku’s been doing it for years. It’s not been a vintage year for the talented Belgian hitman, but eight goals and four assists aren’t to be sniffed at in what’s been a season of underachievement at Goodison Park.
Ayoze Perez (July 23, 1993)
One of the shining lights in a dismal season for Newcastle, Perez lacks the requisite numbers to ever have a chance of topping this list, if we’re honest. But if there’s a case to be made for the man from Tenerife, it’s surely based on the Spaniard’s eyebrow-raising potential. Perez cost the Magpies just €2 million last summer, but his delicious touch and technique hint at a player already worth much more. That Manchester City are rumoured to be sniffing around is testament to Ayoze’s impact in his debut Premier League season. Five goals in 31 appearances only tell half the story.
Harry Kane (July 28, 1993)
Oh, Harry. Show us a football fan who hasn’t spent at least part of this season swooning at the Spurs hero’s extraordinary breakout campaign and we’ll either show you an Arsenal fan or someone stone cold dead inside. Or both. By now, Kane's rise is familiar to most, if not all. The goals, the glory, more goals, the England debut, the England debut goal inside 80 seconds: this has been Kane’s season more than any other player in the Premier League.
Saido Berahino (August 4, 1993)
From a distance it’s been hard to decipher at times this season whether the plinth Berahino has been standing on is a podium or the naughty step. The Burundi-born striker has balanced match-winning goals and thrilling performances with court cases, off-field problems and a perceived moodiness that appears to have alienated at least some West Bromwich Albion supporters. Still, 12 goals in a team that’s only scored 30 all season can’t be overlooked. The 21-year-old looks to have a natural instinct for goal and no lack of self-confidence either.
John Stones (May 28, 1994)
Meeting Stones, as FourFourTwo did this week, the first thing that strikes you is the sense of purpose and drive the 20-year-old has about his own career. The former Barnsley star is keen to learn and grow in his new environment, and this enthusiasm, accompanied with a large dollop of talent, helps explain why Evertonians are so excited by their young centre-back. Injuries have curtailed Stones’s progress at Goodison Park this season, but when he’s played the England international has shown why he’s considered the long-term answer to the Toffees’ defensive woes.
James Ward-Prowse (November 1, 1994)
“A big weight off my shoulders” is how the 20-year-old described his first ever league goal for Southampton in April against Hull. The wait for ‘Prowsey’s first Premier League goal had become something of a burden for the midfielder, but with six assists in a season hampered by injury, the baby-faced England Under-21 international is developing into a thoroughly decent player. He takes a mean set-piece, too.
Nabil Bentaleb (November 24, 1994)
While Kane has hoovered up all the headlines at Tottenham this season, Bentaleb has been if not equally important, then close to it. Another youngster at White Hart Lane who credits a certain Mr T. Sherwood for his emergence at first-team level, Bentaleb has become central to Mauricio Pochettino’s plans, diligently scurrying away in midfield breaking up play and keeping things ticking along for the Lilywhites.
Raheem Sterling (December 8, 1994)
It took Brendan Rodgers about a month of the season to learn his first big lesson: if you want a team built on high-pressing and intense hustle, don’t spunk £16m on Mario Balotelli.
Lesson number two? If you want to leverage your bargaining position in a contract negotiation, don’t describe the asset you’re trying to low-ball – in this case Sterling – as “the best young player in Europe”.
Little wonder the youngster's agent had pound signs in his eyes given such resounding praise for his client, and Sterling’s numbers this season – an average of a goal or assist every other Premier League game–again prove his worth.
Star of Snapchat, lover of jazz balloons and still one of the league’s best youngsters.
Verdict
Sorry guys but this one’s a no-contest: it has to be Harry.
featureThu, 16 Apr 2015 17:10:00 +0000Joe Brewin376219 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMartinez hails Jagielka-Stones defence pairingEverton manager Roberto Martinez believes Phil Jagielka and John Stones are capable of forming one of the best defensive partnerships in the Premier League.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/martinez-hails-jagielka-stones-pairing
England internationals Jagielka and Stones have paired up in Everton's previousfourleague games, securing a clean sheet in the last threeof them.
Martinez puts itdown to Jagielka's"undoubted"leadership skills and willingness to help Stones in his career.
"I always felt that Phil and John could do something special,"explained Martinez in a press conference on Tuesday.
"It has been a little bit difficult after Stones got his injury but since he has been back, the pair of them have been terrific.
"Jagielka is a true captain and a leader, and he wants to help Stones in his own career both at club level and at international level - they compliment each other very well.
"We have missed Stones, but he is back now and working hard for the team which is clear to see."
Wednesday sees Evertontravel toChelsea, who have extended their lead at the top of the table to seven points following their win against Aston Villa on Saturday.
However, Martinez claims it is too soonto make title-winning predictions.
"It is too early to say, you never know with the Premier League, it has surprised us so many times and there are still so many games left to play.
"We will go to Chelsea with a gameplan and try to keep our good run going by pressing them well, not giving the ball away cheaply and by making sure our defence is in top form."
news_articleTue, 10 Feb 2015 14:15:26 +0000Anonymous341116 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comStones closing in on Everton returnEverton manager Roberto Martinez has revealed John Stones could return from injury against QPR on Monday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/stones-closing-everton-return
The England defender appeared set to be sidelined until the new year after damaging ankle ligaments duringa 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in October.
However, Stones has recovered swiftly from surgery and is in contention to feature against Harry Redknapp's side.
Martinez said: "John is ahead of schedule - probably two or three weeks ahead - but I would expect that. He's such a quick healer and he hasn't stopped for one second trying to win those small margins to get back early.
"He's come back and trained once with the team and he came through that really, really well.
"Now it's just a matter of making a good measurement of when it's right to allow him to be involved in a competitive game.
"We've got four players who we'll assess -James McCarthy,Steven Naismith [both hamstring],John StonesandDarron Gibson [knee].
"All four have got different situations but I feel all four have got an opportunity to be involved, so it's a good situation."
Martinez is in buoyant mood after Arouna Kone, Bryan Oviedo and Antolin Alcaraz made their comebacks from injury against Krasnodar on Thursday.
"I feel we're now getting strength in numbers at a really important time with the busy festive schedule we have ahead of us," added the Spaniard.
news_articleFri, 12 Dec 2014 13:48:44 +0000Anonymous304086 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMartinez: Everton will not rush StonesEverton manager Roberto Martinez insists John Stones will not be rushed back from injury, with the defender set for a January return.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/everton-will-not-rush-stones-martinez
Stones is on the road to recovery after undergoing surgery for ankle ligament damage sustained in Everton's 2-1 loss at Manchester United last month.
The 20-year-old English centre-back is progressing well and there are some suggestions that he may return ahead of schedule, but Martinez dismissed talk of a comeback before the New Year.
"The surgeon and the specialist have been very, very pleased. I think they've been quite surprised how quickly he is recovering," said the Spaniard.
"We need to be careful, though. The second half of the season is going to be really demanding and we want John to be fully fit and ready to cope with that.
"What we don't want is for him to come back for one game and then get in a position where his ankle isn't fully recovered and he needs more recovery time.
"He's doing well, though. He's walking around [Everton's training base] Finch Farm with no protection. He's ready to step up his individual programme and it's exciting for the turn of the year to see when he'll be ready.
"We don't know the date at the moment but I'd say sometime in January he'll be able to join the group which is incredible news."
news_articleFri, 21 Nov 2014 07:57:30 +0000Anonymous291003 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comFour players who could replace Glen Johnson as England right-back for goodWith the Reds 30-year-old defender injured its time to look for a permanent successor, saysMichael Cox...Michael Coxhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/four-players-who-could-replace-glen-johnson-england-right-back-good
In recent years, few England players have received as much criticism as Glen Johnson. The right-back’s defensive shortcomings have been a constant source of frustration – but with the Liverpool defender currently unavailable through injury, the Three Lions are able to experiment with other options.
In fairness, Johnson’s lapses have tended to come in qualifiers and friendlies, particularly at Wembley, when England were constantly on the attack and Johnson was lured out of position too readily.
In international tournaments he’s been solid – he was England’s second-best performer behind Steven Gerrard at Euro 2012, and others were more culpable as England struggled at the World Cup this year. Indeed, Johnson’s assist for Wayne Rooney’s goal against Uruguay was a rare bright moment in Brazil.
Nevertheless, Johnson is now 30. Having never been world class, it’s probably time for England to move on. Luckily, they have plenty of promising options in that position…
Kyle Walker, 24 (Tottenham)
Walker was previously considered Johnson’s natural successor at right-back. A similar type of player to the Liverpool man, the Spurs defender is extremely impressive in a physical sense: tall, strong, fast and energetic. He attacks constantly, primarily with his power and stamina rather than technical quality. The concern, however, is about Walker’s defensive ability: like Johnson, he makes too many unforgivable positional errors, and he’s much better with the ball than without it.
There’s also a feeling that, despite being relatively young, Walker might have missed his best opportunity to impress at international level – he was superb in his first full season at Spurs, winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award and being voted the Premier League’s best right-back in 2011/12.
However, he then missed Euro 2012 through injury, and hasn’t recaptured that form. His only impressive England display since came in England’s penultimate World Cup qualifier against Montenegro, where he linked excellently with Spurs team-mate Andros Townsend down the right but then picked up a needless booking, ruling him out of the final qualifier against Poland, with Chris Smalling his replacement. He then missed the 2014 World Cup through injury and is currently still sidelined. Can he regain lost ground?
John Stones, 20 (Everton)
There’s little doubt Stones has a fine future ahead with England. Roy Hodgson was sufficiently impressed with the youngster to name him as a standby player for England’s World Cup squad, and while Phil Jones recovered in time for the tournament, ensuring Stones flew home even earlier than the rest of the England side, he could be a regular for the next few years.
Stones, like Jones and Smalling, has often been fielded at right-back despite being a centre-back by trade. This is relatively common for young centre-backs, with managers wanting to give them experience without risking untested players in the centre of defence. However, Stones doesn’t really possess the attacking dynamism required for a full-back, and his long-term future is in the middle. He was superb in the recent Merseyside derby at Anfield, making some vital last-ditch clearances.
Ruled out through injury, he will hope to be handed opportunities in the centre next time out.
Calum Chambers, 19 (Arsenal)
Despite less than a season’s worth of Premier League experience, Chambers is an England international and a £16 million player, following his move from Southampton to Arsenal. He’s a confident, assured all-rounder, but a question remains about his best position. At right-back he seems to dive into tackles too much – notable in his performance against Chelsea last weekend.
Whereas Stones’ positional future is easy to predict, Chambers doesn’t know his best role yet – although, again, it seems like he could become a central player.
“At centre-back, I feel more confident than at right-back,” Chambers told the Arsenal Programme. “I feel like I read the game better, I feel more assured in myself. Right-back can be more demanding physically, because you have to get up and down the pitch more.
“I’ve been thinking about [my best position] for the past 10 years! I’ve played in every position over that time [...] at the moment, I’m enjoying it at centre-half. I can play in holding midfield as well so I might end up having a go at that too...”
That might prove useful for England, lacking a solid holding midfielder – but again, Chambers might not be the long-term answer at right-back.
Nathaniel Clyne, 23 (Southampton)
Recently handed his first England call-up after a solid couple of seasons for Southampton, Clyne is something different to Stones, Chambers and uncapped Spurs youngster Eric Dier in that he’s not a converted centre-back, but a bona fide right-back.
Much smaller than his rivals for the position at just 5ft 9in, Clyne simply appears more natural in a full-back role. He’s a nippier player with good acceleration and anticipation skills, tracking his opponent tightly and attempting to win the ball quickly.
He’s also excellent going forward, linking intelligently with his right winger – generally overlapping before providing a cross, but also capable of holding his position more centrally while his team-mate hugs the touchline. His passing, too, is extremely reliable.
The only question mark is about Clyne’s raw quality – he hasn’t been tested at the highest level, in a side that is constantly scrutinised. Opposition like San Marino and Estonia won’t provide a great test, but that’s precisely why Clyne deserves to start as his natural full-back play, particularly in an attacking sense, will be more useful than the defensive qualities of other options.
featureSun, 12 Oct 2014 12:30:00 +0000Joe Brewin265649 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com